That which I speak, I speak it not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
God does not approve of boasting, so this mode of speaking does not come from him. But the content of what he is saying is still true. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
That which I speak. The praises of myself, that I propose to utter directly.
I speak it not after the Lord. If regarded by itself. But it will be after God if charity and necessity be taken into account, the necessity, that Isaiah , of preventing you from despising me, and glorifying the false apostles.
In this confidence of boasting. In this substance (Latin version). In this subject-matter of boasting, i.e, my works, of which I am now going to speak.
Do you see how glorying is not after the Lord? For He says, When you shall have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants. Luke 17:10 Howbeit, by itself indeed it is not after the Lord, but by the intention it becomes so. And therefore he said, That which I speak, not accusing the motive, but the words. Since his aim is so admirable as to dignify the words also. For as a manslayer, though his action be of those most strictly forbidden, has often been approved from the intention; and as circumcision, although it is not 'after the Lord,' has become so from the intention, so also glorying. And wherefore then does he not use so great strictness of expression? Because he is hastening on to another point, and he freely gratifies even to superfluity those who are desirous to find a handle against him, so that he may say only the things that are profitable; for when said they were enough to extinguish all that suspicion. But as in foolishness. Before he says, Would that you could bear with m...
